Bridal Diary

After a few bleary eyed blinks I come round and my tummy twists with blissful excitement that my wedding day at Easby has finally arrived. I savour the last few moments, burying myself in the marshmallow coziness of my four-poster bed in the ‘Champagne Suite’. My memory briefly flicks back to my hot, salty soak in the egg bath the evening before. They say that people who don’t drink should make the most of their mornings as it’s the best they are going to feel all day, but how about those who start their day with a glass of champagne? Well, that was me on my wedding day at Easby; lucky, lucky me. My bridesmaid (also my sister) and I discuss the fun, last minute details of the day between indulgent sips of Virginie T champagne.

I pad barefoot, totally carefree in my silk robe with morning hair tamed by a dozen rollers to the breakfast room smug in knowing that I have booked the whole house and so can only bump into my close friends or family. I am welcomed by a fruit platter, compotes, jams and a smoothie all lovingly sourced and crafted by homegrown produce. My smoked salmon and scrambled eggs is served quite literally with love; on heart shaped toast and a delicate dusting of edible flowers.

The rooms in our private wing are interlinked so that my bridesmaids are in earshot of each other and can assure no awkward interruptions as they zip each other up. I can hear them scampering from room to room as I am buffed, plucked, powdered, glossed and tinted to perfection over a leisurely two hours by my own private beautician. Meanwhile my groom and his ushers wander around the abbey garden, champagne in hand.

Easby Hall is perfectly positioned a mere three minute walk from the ancient local church of Saint Agatha which sits snug in the heart of Easby valley. After the service we amble up the lane to the house and float into the walled and abbey gardens where our glasses are flooded with fizz. Chat, giggle, canapé, giggle, canapé, canapé; the unavoidable topic of conversation being the million dollar view of the abbey ruins and Richmond castle bathed in champagne-golden July sun. My wedding photos are a romantic blur as we glide from an archway with climbing roses, to the tranquil vegetable garden and back to the abbey garden overlooking the church all creating idyllic photo settings.

The wedding breakfast is a dream. The flowers and petals for the tables were hand picked from Easby Hall’s cutting garden and then sprinkled that morning. Candles and an open fire enhance the tasteful, yet timeless interior of the room that is perfectly in keeping with the house. Much later, my husband and I sneak down to the ‘Winter hut’ for a quiet brandy and reminisce, but this treasure hut is not secret for long; it’s roaring fire and plush, mellow shelter soon attract the survivors of the night with the last bottles of red.

Credits

Photographer - Todd and Moore - website www.toddandmoorephotography.com

Dresses - Blossom and Belle - website iwww.blossomandbelle.net

Wedding planner - LND Events - website www.lnd-events.co.uk

Florist- - Fleur Adamo - website fleuradamo.co.uk

Models - Charlotte and Natasha Clarke 01748 826 066; Mungo Fawcett 01132 813213